US sends third aircraft carrier to Middle East

The United States has dispatched a third aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as President Donald Trump considers increasing military action against Iran. According to a US official, the USS Theodore Roosevelt is en route to Central Command's area of operations in the region. Accompanying the nuclear-powered Nimitz-class carrier are several vessels from its strike group. Additionally, an amphibious unit with over 2,000 marines has also departed for the location.

President Trump recently stated at the UN General Assembly that he faces a decision between negotiating with Iran or driving it "into hell." He hinted that Tehran may reach an agreement following the US midterm elections on November 3, but also mentioned the possibility of annihilating the Iranian regime. US sources informed the Wall Street Journal that the Roosevelt strike group is anticipated to arrive by the end of November.

Currently, the USS George HW Bush and USS George Washington aircraft carriers are already present in the region. The Roosevelt is set to replace the USS George Washington, which has been stationed in Japan since August and was previously stationed in the area since taking over for the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The deployment follows reports indicating that the conditions on the Lincoln had deteriorated after months at sea. The US Navy's acting secretary revealed last week that eight servicemembers from the carrier strike group attempted suicide during the deployment. The Iran situation is at a critical point, with the US and Iran engaged in indirect talks following last week's UN General Assembly in New York.

However, President Trump has continued to threaten further military action. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed on Thursday that Tehran has "never shied away from talks, and we never will." Trump declared that Iran must "either decide to sign a very fair deal, or they won't exist any longer."